Once you bring a cat or kitten home, their adorable self lights up the house. A new adventure awaits you every day. Acclimating them to your home, creating a routine, and playing around become part of your schedule.
Over time, most cat parents get another cat or kitten, either as a playmate for the existing cat or out of sheer love of cats.
It is uncharted territory for your new and existing cats and can make them act differently. One typical behavior exhibited is hissing. Although it is normal, it is essential to know why new kittens tend to hiss at older cats.
What Does Hissing Sound Like?
Cat parents may have come across a hissing sound. It sounds like a snake’s hiss or an air leak from a gas pipe. A kitten’s hiss may sound more feeble than that of older cats.
The hiss comes with wide open mouths, ears flattened, and erect hair on their back. The hissing intensity may vary. Do not confuse this with growling, a deeper, hoarse sound from the throat.
Why Do Kittens Hiss?
Many animals produce the hissing sound in the wild, which is also common in the feline community. It is a defense mechanism or even a survival instinct in some instances.
New kittens are getting to know themselves while adjusting to their new home. It can make the process confusing for the little ones. In response, they may tend to hiss. It is often assumed to be menacing. However, this is not the case
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Some breed hiss more often than others. So, the table below shows the breeds whose kittens tend to do it the most.
Breed |
Attributes |
Sphynx |
Genetically hairless cats |
Siamese |
Silver gray color with blue irises |
Scottish Fold |
Genetically mutated folded-ears |
However, various situations cause the hissing reaction. So, take a look at the multiple reasons for your kitten hissing.
1. Aggressive Playtime
It is one of the most common reasons for hissing amongst kittens. Kittens are hyperactive, with sudden bursts of energy. They fidget with anything on which their eyes land. It is too easy to keep them occupied and entertained.
However, they tend to go overboard. Kittens may end up in rough outdoor activities alone or with other cats. It may get a hiss out of them. It is also a way of telling the other cat or kitten to slow down.
2. Sense of Danger
New kittens require time to adapt to the new environment. This time varies from kitten to kitten. Bringing them to your home is where the nurturing process begins. Apart from feeding, grooming, and playing with them, making them feel safe is essential too,
Kittens get spooked easily; defense mechanisms kick in. Hissing is a way of expressing the threat they feel. Calm your cat using the FELIWAY Classic Cat Calming Spray. Spraying it in your car or home can instantly reduce your cat’s stress. Road trips or visits to the vet are now more leisurely!
3. Confrontations
You may wonder about the kinds of confrontations little kittens can face. Well, they are aggressive creatures looking to stir trouble. If you have older cats or dogs at home, prepare for face-offs between them.
It is an expected reaction to seeing a new member in a familiar space. New kittens can feel intimidated by the other cats or pets in your home. They tend to hiss at them as a reply. In addition, they may also be frightened by clashes with other animals during their outdoor playtime.
4. Unfamiliar Surroundings
Your home is utterly alien ground for your new kitten. It may seem strangely amusing to them, from the television and lights to even the kids. You may even find your kitten going head-to-head with inanimate objects.
As comical as this may seem, this may get a hiss out of your kitten. There is nothing to worry about here, though. Unknown articles, people, and conditions can make them feel stressed. Hissing can be their reaction to all these factors put together.
5. Health Issues
Hissing can be due to various health-related reasons. Getting them their vaccinations and medicines on time is of utmost importance. Otherwise, it makes them prone to various diseases and physical ailments.
Your new kitten may be expressing any discomfort or pain through hissing. They might be having difficulty figuring out what is happening to them. Observe the hiss, and visit a veterinarian at the earliest if it persists.
6. Unknown Noises or Smells
From the sound of a vacuum to loud music, unknown sounds can catch your kitten off guard. Initially, even inaudible, daily noises at home can startle your kitten. Your infant’s wailing can also have the same effect. As a way of coping with these sounds, new kittens tend to hiss.
On the other hand, the smell of another cat or different unidentifiable scents can throw them off, earning a hiss. The hissing may reduce as they become accustomed to the smells and sounds in the surroundings.
Identifying and monitoring your kitten’s hissing helps determine any trouble they face. It is a way they express coming to terms with the home, habits, or people.
Why Do Cats Hiss?
Now that we have seen why kittens hiss, it becomes easier to understand the reason behind such behavior. It does not always have a sinister undertone.
Cats may hiss for similar reasons. Older cats hiss when their parental instincts kick in. It is a way of asking others to back off. Invading their personal space can annoy them, causing them to let out a hiss.
Cats are territorial by nature and have strict boundaries. New humans or creatures can easily surprise them. It will activate their self-preservation mode instantly. Hissing is a way of asserting this dominance.
Tips to Deal with Your New Kitten’s Hissing
Bringing your new kitten home is an unexplainable sense of delight. Welcoming your new kitten home the right way will help deal with your kitten’s hissing.
So, here are some tips for the same.
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Create a cozy space meant just for your kitten.
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Give them their space and time when you are unwelcome.
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Introduce them to your other cats and pets.
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Groom and trim them regularly to reduce discomfort.
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Ensure regular visits to the veterinarian.
Conclusion
Kittens are chaotic creatures but have us wrapped around their little finger with charm. Nurturing them is a satisfying process that requires the right kind of preparation. Notice the sounds your kitten is making. Ensure the right atmosphere for overall health and hygiene at the same time.
